‘There were times when I should have been more patient’

TV host Nico Siahaan is back on the airwaves. He attributes his recent absence both to the different focus of TV stations today compared with his heyday in the late 1990s, and to his own choice. “I am choosy: I get a lot of offers, but they’re not me,” says Nico, 42, who hosts a biweekly show with Sarah Sechan. At other times, he is a sought-after event emcee, runs his own Indonesian-cuisine restaurant and takes care of his twin daughters.

As a child …

I was a little socialite, going from table to table, talking with everybody, because I loved getting to know people and learning new things. We moved around a lot; people say that kids who relocate don’t have time to make friends. It wasn’t a problem for me.

My best trait …

I am actually a very kind person, but you have to go very deep down (laughs). I always want to be good to people, respect others, call people by their proper titles. It’s very Indonesian.

And worst …

I have a short fuse. If I am angry, I can just cut things off. There have been times in my life when I’ve made very emotional decisions, like when renewing a contract. If I felt people didn’t respect me, I would stop it right there. I wasn’t patient enough.

I laugh at …

I have a friend whom I call up when I am sad. Just hearing the sound of their voice makes me laugh. And babies. Hearing them squeal makes me crack up.

I am saddened …

When people look down on me, when they think they are better than us. Their body language shows it, and my reaction is, “OK, let’s get out of here. If you feel that way, then don’t talk to me.”

I cry at …

If there’s anything bad to do with my mother, my eyes well up. I hear she is ill, and my spirit drops. We feel so connected. I get very melancholic when it comes to her.

Guilty pleasure …

I like to gamble. Once in a while, I go to Singapore to play and it makes me feel good. Buying the chips and going from table to table from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. Overall, I lose most of the time, but it’s just that feeling I get. And then I have to get back to work.

My point of pride …

Professionally, when I won the Panasonic TV award as host. For TV people, it’s the peak. But actually even more important was last year when one of my children ranked number one in her class. That was really extraordinary as a parent. I am someone who didn’t like schools using rankings – until my kid was top!

Favorite food …

Sop kaki kambing (goat leg soup). It’s the smell, the taste of the meat, the brains, the soup.

And music …

Blues.

And movie …

The Godfather. Maybe the mafia is another side of me, a bipolar side! (laughs). But actually it’s more about the meaning of family and sticking together.

And book …

Those of Enid Blyton when I was a child. I still remember the illustrations. They are still the best children’s books, in my opinion.

The most eccentric thing about me …

Nothing really. I’m just a regular guy.

I fear …

Heights really scare me. I think I have to fight it through doing paragliding.

My everyday hero …

People who volunteer and sacrifice their own comfort for others, like teacher Butet Manurung. There are a lot of volunteers today in the field of education. I hope one day to be able to do that.

Regrets …

I made some decisions that if I had just been a little more patient, the results would have been much better. But the Nico of today is a lot different from the Nico of a few years ago. Maybe I ate too much goat brain!

Best advice anyone ever gave me …

I was once talking with a friend, and he said, “Bro’, when it’s yours, it yours, and when it’s not, it’s not.” Don’t think about the things that you cannot have.

My life motto …

I have a new one, based on my golf experience. Lower your target. Golf is a sport that can break your heart when you miss a short putt because we have big plans. It used to be my monster; I couldn’t sleep or I would be grouchy with my kids. Now I never set a high target. I am more relaxed.

Dream dinner guest …

Tiger Woods. For me, he is a super figure. He has got a great character and amazing focus on the fairway.

When I die …

I never used to think about dying. But now I would like to die in a village. People are more sincere and respectful. 

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